Scientists have discovered a gene called GLUT9 that is associated with serum uric acid levels. High serum uric acid, known to be responsible for the formation of gout crystals, is also accountable for cardiovascular and kidney diseases. It is also related to other disorders like obesity, hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, and hyperinsulinemia. Uric acid levels generally increase with age.

Researchers from the United States and Italy conducted genome-wide scans of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in DNA in population samples from Sardinia and Chianti. Both populations have variants in the GLUT9 gene which are associated with mutated uric acid levels. Instead of being responsible for uric acid synthesis or secretion, the GLUT9 gene encodes a glucose transporter.

From the results, it was found that the rare allele SNP rs6855911 has the strongest association to serum uric acid levels. Results suggest that variations in GLUT9 can influence the metabolism of glucose and uric acid synthesis and/or renal reabsorption thus changing the serum uric acid levels. This discovery could pave the way to finding an approach to therapeutically modify uric acid levels.